Western Michigan University

Western State Normal School, 1915 On May 27, 1903, Michigan governor Aaron T. Bliss signed a bill authorizing the creation of a teacher-training facility. [ 7 ] Kalamazoo was chosen as the new school's location on August 28, 1903. Other locations considered included Allegan , Muskegon , Grand Rapids , Decatur , Three Oaks , and Hastings . The first building, then known as the Administration Building, and now known as Heritage Hall, was constructed in 1904. [ 8 ] The university was first officially known as Western State Normal School and offered a two-year training program. The first principal was Dwight B. Waldo , who served from 1904 until 1936. The school was renamed several times throughout its early history, beginning with Western State Teachers College in 1927, Western Michigan College of Education in 1941, and Western Michigan College in 1955. It was renamed Western Michigan University in 1957. Most of the oldest and original WMU buildings are collectively known as East Campus . Because of the steep grade elevating the campus above the city, the Western State Normal Railroad was established in 1907 to carry students and staff up and down the hill with a funicular . It operated until 1949. [ 9 ] Western Michigan University had a partnership with Cooley Law School for over a decade, that on August 13, 2014, culminated in the adoption of a new name and partnership, the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. [ 10 ] In 2020, the university's Board of Trustees voted to end its affiliation with the Cooley Law School. [ 11 ] Western Michigan University was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic . President Edward B. Montgomery stated "the crisis has already cost WMU well over $45 million, and we expect the tally to rise through the remainder of this fiscal year." To soften the economic toll of the pandemic, WMU instituted a number of cost-cutting measures. [ 12 ] Presidents Dwight B. Waldo (1904–1936) Paul V. Sangren (1936–1960) James W.

Miller (1961–1974) John T. Bernhard (1974–1985) Diether H. Haenicke (1985–1998) Elson S. Floyd (1998–2003) Judith I. Bailey (2003–2006) John M. Dunn (2007–2017) Edward B. Montgomery (2017–2025) Russ Kavalhuna (2025-)

WMU's campuses encompass more than 1,200 acres (4.9 km 2 ) and roughly 150 buildings. Western Michigan University is divided into five campuses in and near Kalamazoo, Michigan : West Campus East Campus Oakland Drive Campus Parkview Campus College of Aviation in Battle Creek, Michigan West Campus Stewart Clocktower, flanked by Waldo Library to the left, and the University Computing Center. West Campus is the primary and largest WMU campus in Kalamazoo , and is usually referred to as "Main Campus." Most of the university academic and administrative buildings are on West Campus, including the College of Arts and Sciences, Haworth College of Business, [ 13 ] College of Education and Human Development, College of Fine Arts, the Lee Honors College and Waldo Library. Many of the residence halls are found scattered throughout West Campus, while other dormitories (affectionately referred to as "The Valleys") are adjacent to West Campus in Goldsworth Valley. Waldo Library is the main branch of the University Libraries, which is the fourth largest university library system in Michigan. The library offers books, a cafe, student commons, study rooms, a flight simulator lab, and a virtual reality lab. [ 14 ] WMU Student Center, interior gathering stairs The WMU Student Center opened in 2023 and contains a dining center, restaurants, a bank, the campus bookstore, student organization center and other student services. [ 15 ] West Campus is also the site of Miller Auditorium , a large entertainment venue seating nearly 3500 people. It is Michigan's fourth largest auditorium. Miller Auditorium hosts events ranging from popular musicals and concerts to graduation commencements and film screenings. The Gilmore Theater Complex, featuring three performance stages and faculty offices, is directly next to Miller Auditorium. The Dalton Center houses the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music and the Department of Dance.

The Richmond Center for Visual Arts was added to the Fine Arts Complex in 2007, followed by South Kohrman Hall being renovated into faculty offices and upgraded studio spaces in 2008. Both buildings house the Gwen Frostic School of Art. [ 16 ]